NL: Half a million spectators for water-born horti-parade

The annual Varend Corso (Sailing Corso) took place during the past three days on the waterways in Westland and the surrounding areas. The beautiful summer weather brought a lot of visitors to the popular event, but it was also a lot of work for the participating boats full of flowers, plants and vegetables.

Click here for our photo report.

Flowers, plants, vegetables and technology
This 21st edition presented five newcomers with a boat of their own design based on the theme 'Completely Dutch'. Among these were orchid breeder Floricultura and orchid and anthurium grower Anthura, who celebrated their 80th anniversary this year. The hardy plants used in the boats can take a beating from the sun, but a little water really made a difference. This was also true for the people on the boats and the organisers, who consumed 8,500 bottles of water in three days.

Anthura celebrating 80 years with cake

Giving the flowers the last drops of water before the start of day two on board at Floricultura.

Another striking newcomer was the 'tech boat' that was an initiative of technology and supply companies De Hoog Techniek, Tuprotec, DL Plastics, Power Plastics and Qkas. On this boat the history of Westland greenhouses was depicted, where all elements had been well thought out. For example, the black plastic sail around the boat didn't hang there because of a lack of flowers, but to depict the ground cloth that is used while steaming greenhouses. Will there be more technology companies and suppliers with their own boat next year?

The 'tech boat' celebrating the history of Dutch greenhouse horticulture. Over the years, greenhouses were built increasingly higher, but in order to fit under all bridges during the Corso, a modest example was shown onboard.

The solar boat of newcomer ISW Hoogeland can appropriately also be called a 'tech boat'. This boat was an eye-catching appearance with minimal decoration, reminding us that energy usage is an important topic within the sector.

The solar boat made and operated by ISW students

In addition to all the flowers, vegetables and plants on the participating boats, the Corso is also about family entertainment, with or without a serious undertone. Dutch television classics such as Bassie and Adriaan made their appearance, along with the Familie Flodder, Bor de Wolf and his friends from the Fabeltjeskrant. The acts were received with enthusiasm from both young and old. Koppert Cress with Rob Baan and his boat promoting vegetables was also popular among attendees.

Bassie and Adriaan

Familie Flodder

Bor de Wolf from de Fabeltjeskrant was looking for Meneer de Uil.

Rob Baan with his farm animals, sending a loud and clear message: eat more vegetables.

So many boats passed in a matter of hours that it's impossible to describe them all. The organization strives every year to show as much as possible of what greenhouse horticulture has to offer. Prices were also awarded in various categories, including the originality prize for the floating vegetable container.

John van der Spek (JS Loading Technique) at the helm of the 'Duit voor een Schuit' boat which provides financial support for the next Corso.

Next year Varend Corso will be back with a brand new theme. More photos can be found here and on Varend Corso's social media (Instagram, Facebook).

For more information:

Varend Corso

www.varendcorso.nl

info@varendcorso.nl